Tool for wrapping paper and kit for containing same

ABSTRACT

A tool for use with wrapping paper comprises a unitary, plastic stick and a length of at least 18 inches. The stick extends linearly and has serrations defined in the plastic stick on a first side and has a non-serrated second side, opposite the first side, separated by a width. The serrations are adjacent a bracing surface and are parallel to the wrapping paper when the bracing surface is disposed on top of the wrapping paper. In particular embodiments, a non-skid feature can be added to the bracing surface, as well as a lip to self-orient the tool relative to the edge of wrapping paper. The tool can be provided within the hollow central core of a roll of wrapping paper, and enclosed therein by a clear plastic wrap. A product resulting from a 3D printing process is also described.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wrapping paper accessories, and moreparticularly to a tool and kit useful in cutting wrapping paper to adesired size.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wrapping paper is typically available in rolls, and the paper isdispensed from the roll for cutting to size. Some wrapping paper isfolded, but similarly needs to be cut to size.

For individuals, the typical approach to cutting wrapping paper, whetherfor gifts, crafts, packaging, or another purpose, is to use a scissor.Cutting a long sheet of paper with a scissor, however, is difficult andmay not result in a straight line cut. If the cut is not straight, theworkpiece just cut may not fit the intended purpose (e.g., may not belarge enough across the length to cover an article). In addition, theremaining paper on the other side of the cut will not be straight.Another approach used by individuals for cutting wrapping paper is touse a cutting tool designed to slide along the paper to create asmoother cut. One example is the Scotch brand Gift Wrap Cutter which hasa blade disposed within a slot. This device cuts paper inserted into theslot by having the user push the device forward while holding the papernext to the cutter. The device can cut a straight line, but the line maynot be perpendicular to the paper roll, and paper snags and ripping canresult if the user's hand, which is holding down the paper, does notadvance with the cutter.

For businesses and persons having a need to cut wrapping paper smoothly,there are wrapping paper dispensers which support one or more rolls ofpaper on respective dowels, and which cut the paper along the edge of aspring-loaded blade. Such dispensers are effective, but require set up,space, and are not well suited for casual use by individuals.

The present invention addresses these deficiencies in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a tool for use withwrapping paper comprises a unitary, plastic stick having a length whichextends linearly along an axis of elongation, a broad surface, a bracingsurface, and first and second sides along the length which meet thebracing surface at respective first and second side edges. The tool hasa length of at least 18 inches. The first side extends parallel to theaxis of elongation and has serrations defined in the plastic stick. Theserrations are adjacent the bracing surface and are parallel to thebracing surface and any wrapping paper upon which the bracing surfacemay be disposed. The second side also extends parallel to the axis ofelongation, opposite to the first side, and has a non-serrated edgedefined in the plastic stick. The first and second sides are separatedby a width which is substantially less than the length.

In accordance with further aspects of the invention, each of which canbe included singly or in combination with one another, the tooloptionally can have a non-skid feature on the bracing surface. Thenon-skid feature can be a coating or layer, and is characterized inhaving a coefficient of static friction greater than that of the plasticcomprising the plastic stick.

Also, the tool optionally can have a lip, depending downward from atleast one end of the bracing surface of the plastic stick. The lip, ifprovided, includes a wall which is perpendicular to the axis ofelongation which defines a seat for an edge of the wrapping paper. Thelip enables the tool to self-orient to be perpendicular to the edge ofthe wrapping paper when the wrapping paper edge is fully seated againstthe wall.

Another feature that optionally can be included is to have the plasticstick formed from a transparent or translucent material.

Still another feature that optionally can be included is to have theserrations extend to at least one end of the length of the plasticstick.

Yet another feature that optionally can be included is to have thenon-serrated edge of the second side tapered or rounded to provide aguide for concealing serrations in cut paper when wrapping an object.

In a further aspect of the invention, the plastic stick can have an archextending in the direction of elongation between the first and secondsides. If the plastic stick has flexibility, the arch can move from afirst curvature to a second, greater curvature in a flexed condition inresponse to a manual force being applied to the broad surface.

Yet another aspect of the invention is a wrapping paper kit whichincludes wrapping paper wound about an axis and having a hollow centralcore, a unitary, plastic stick sized and shaped so as to be disposablewithin the hollow central core, and a clear plastic wrap enclosing thewrapping paper and the plastic stick within the hollow central core. Inaccordance with this aspect of the invention, the plastic stick is aunitary member having a length which extends linearly along an axis ofelongation, a broad surface, a bracing surface, and first and secondsides along the length which meet the bracing surface at respectivefirst and second side edges. The stick has a length of at least 18inches. The first side extends parallel to the axis of elongation andhas serrations defined in the plastic stick. The serrations are adjacentthe bracing surface and are parallel to the bracing surface and anywrapping paper upon which the bracing surface may be disposed. Thesecond side also extends parallel to the axis of elongation, opposite tothe first side, and has a non-serrated edge defined in the plasticstick. The first and second sides are separated by a width which issubstantially less than the length. Moreover, the plastic stick can haveany or all of the features noted above, including, without limitation,the non-skid feature, the lip, transparency or translucency, and anarch.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, a tool for usewith wrapping paper is manufactured by a process comprising the step ofcausing a 3D printer to make the tool using an instruction file which isaccessible to the 3D printer. The instruction file includes instructionsfor a hardware processor which define actions to be taken by the 3Dprinter to manufacture the tool. The tool manufactured in accordancewith the instruction file comprises a unitary member having a lengthwhich extends linearly along an axis of elongation, a broad surface, abracing surface, and first and second sides along the length which meetthe bracing surface at respective first and second side edges. The toolhas a length of at least 18 inches. The first side extends parallel tothe axis of elongation and has serrations defined in the plastic stick.The serrations are adjacent the bracing surface and are parallel to thebracing surface and any wrapping paper upon which the bracing surfacemay be disposed. The second side also extends parallel to the axis ofelongation, opposite to the first side, and has a non-serrated edgedefined in the plastic stick. The first and second sides are separatedby a width which is substantially less than the length. Moreover, thetool can have any or all of the features noted above, including, withoutlimitation, the non-skid feature, the lip, transparency or translucency,and an arch.

These and other aspects, features and advantages will be apparent withreference to the accompanying drawing figures and discussion of certainembodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a tool in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention, shown in relation to a swatch of wrappingpaper.

FIG. 2 is an end plan view of the tool of FIG. 1, shown encased within aroll of wrapping paper, and showing a tapered side opposite a serratedside.

FIG. 3 is a side plan view showing details of the tool of FIG. 1, takenalong line 3-3.

FIG. 4 is an end plan view of a variation in the construction of thetool of FIG. 1, now showing a rounded side opposite the serrated side,and illustrating flex of the tool in response to a force applied by afinger.

FIG. 5 is a network diagram in support of distribution of informationfiles in support of the distributed manufacture of the tool of FIGS. 1through 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

By way of overview and introduction, a tool for use with wrapping paperand a kit combining a roll of wrapping paper and the tool are describedwith reference to the accompanying drawing FIGS. 1-4, which illustratecertain embodiments of the invention. The tool combines a bracingsurface and a cutter to trim paper (e.g., from a roll) to a desired sizewithout slippage. Preferably, the tool has a length which generallyapproximates the width of a roll of wrapping paper, to thereby brace theentire width and permit the cutting of a segment of paper from the rollwithout repositioning the tool or changing one's hold of the paper. Asdetailed below, embodiments can include one or more additional featuressuch as an anti-slip coating or layer to better ensure that the paper isbraced, a lip to engage an edge of the paper and self-orient the toolfor a perpendicular cut (i.e., a cut parallel to the axis of the rolledwrapping paper), an arch configured to flex under manual pressure andfurther restrain the paper from movement under the tool, and an edgeshaped to facilitate folding of a cut-paper edge for a more beautifulfinish of the wrapped item.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a tool 10 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention is illustrated in a position disposed on top of a swatchof wrapping paper 20, such as may have been unrolled from, but stillattached to, a roll of wrapping paper (not shown).

The tool comprises a unitary, plastic stick 12 as can be made byextrusion, or by using a mold, by printing in three-dimensions, or bydie cutting. The stick 12 has a length which extends linearly along anaxis of elongation L. The length of the plastic stick is at leasteighteen inches so as to provide an elongated bracing surface to actupon the paper, as described below. In a preferred configuration, thelength of the stick 12 is equal to or approximately the width ofstandard rolls of wrapping paper, which come in widths of 24, 30, 36,42, and 48 inches. As such the stick 12 can be between about 24 andabout 36 inches in length, and more generally less than 50 inches long.The stick 12 has a broad surface 14 which is used by a person to holdthe tool against the paper 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the broadsurface has an arch 16 extending in the direction of elongation, L. Inother embodiments, the broad surface 14 of the stick 12 can have adifferent profile, such as flat. A bracing surface 18 is the portion ofthe plastic stick 12 that contacts the wrapping paper 20, and can begenerally opposite the broad surface 14. In the illustrated embodiment,the bracing surface 18 extends in the direction of elongation L on eachof two sides 30, 40 of the plastic stick, and is denoted 18A and 18B,but is more generally referred to as bracing surface 18.

The stick 12 has first and second sides 30, 40 along its length whichmeet the bracing surface 18 at respective first and second side edges32, 42 (see FIG. 2). The first and second sides 30, 40 are separated bya width W in a direction perpendicular to the axis of elongation L. Thewidth of the stick 12 is substantially less its length. In a preferredconfiguration, the width is selected to fit within the hollow centralcore 22 of a roll of wrapping paper 20 (FIG. 2). Standard rolls ofwrapping paper have a hollow central core 22 on the order of 1⅜ to 1⅝inches. Thus, the width of the stick 12 constructed in accordance withthe invention is preferably less than a standard core thickness, such asless than 1.375 inches, less than 1.5 inches, or less than 1.625 inches.

With further reference to FIG. 1, the first side 30 extends linearly,parallel to the axis of elongation L, and comprises serrations 34defined in the plastic stick 12. The serrations 32 are adjacent thebracing surface 18 and are included in at least one plane which isparallel to the wrapping paper 20 when the plastic stick 12 is disposedon top of the wrapping paper (see also FIG. 4), but can be included inmultiple planes depending on the arrangement of the serrations. In apreferred configuration, the serrations extend to at least one end 50 ofthe length of the plastic stick 12.

The second side 40 extends linearly, parallel to the axis of elongationL, and opposite to the first side 30. The second side comprises anon-serrated edge defined in the plastic stick 12 proximate to thebracing surface 18. The non-serrated edge can be a tapered edge 44(FIGS. 1-3) or a rounded edge 46. Because the non-serrated edge extendsthe length of the plastic stick 12, it provides a guide for folding acut edge of the wrapping paper in order to provide a finished edge whenthe cut paper is wrapped around a gift or other article. Moreparticularly, after wrapping the cut paper about a gift or otherarticle, the paper can be folded along the length of the plastic stickto provide a finished seam to overlap the other end of the paper andreceive a piece of tape to hold the paper in the wrapped position aroundthe gift or other article.

Optionally, the plastic stick 12 can be formed using transparent ortranslucent materials. This provides the advantage of being able to seethe wrapping paper below the tool 10, including any pattern 24 printedon the paper. In part, this can provide a visual confirmation that thetool 10 is positioned parallel to the width of the paper, in otherwords, parallel to the axis of the hollow central core 22 from which thepaper is unrolled/dispensed.

The illustrated embodiment has a non-skid feature 60 included on thebracing surface 18 of the plastic stick 12. The non-skid feature ischaracterized in that it has a coefficient of static friction which isgreater than that of the plastic of the plastic stick 12. The non-skidfeature 60 can be a coating or a layer. If the plastic stick hastransparency, then a suitable non-skid coating that can be used is theRust-Oleum ExpoxyShield Anti-Slip Coating available as a spray fromRust-Oleum Corporation of Vernon Hills, Ill. (Material Safety DataSheet: Product Name “EPOXYS SSPR 6PK ANTI-SLIP AEROSOL,” ProductIdentification: 268652). This coating can be applied as a spray anddries clear. Alternatively, the coating can be a conventional rubberspray. If a layer is to be applied as the non-skid feature 60, exemplarylayers include rubber or cork. If the tool 10 includes an arch 16, thenthe non-skid feature can cover the arch 16 or can be applied on eitherside of the arch (as shown).

Referring now to FIG. 3, a side plan view is provided showing details ofone end 50 of the plastic stick 12. FIG. 3 is taken along lines 3-3 ofFIG. 1, and shows the wrapping paper 20 in contact with the bracingsurface 18B. More specifically, the end 50 has a lip 70 dependingdownwardly below the plane of the bracing surface 18. The lip defines awall 72 which seats an edge 26 of the wrapping paper 20 when placed on atable or other surface. The lip 70 is oriented perpendicular to the axisof elongation L and orients the wall 72 perpendicular to the axis ofelongation L. The perpendicular orientation of the wall 72 causes theplastic stick to self-orient to a perpendicular orientation relative tothe edge 26 of the wrapping paper (and, hence, parallel to the axis ofthe paper roll) when the wrapping paper edge 26 is fully seated againstthe wall 72. As a result, if the user positions the lip 70 beyond theedge 26 of the paper which is furthest from the user and draws the toolagainst the edge, the tool enables a straight cut of the paper using theserrations 34, which will now also be parallel to the axis of the rolledpaper, to thereby provide approximately right-angled cuts for a betterworkpiece and for better future cuts since the paper has been cut alongthe rolled-paper axis. Optionally, the tool 10 includes the non-skidfeature 60, as illustrated in the detail view of FIG. 3.

Preferably, the serrations extend over the region of the wall 72 toprovide a starting point for cutting the wrapping paper, as discussedbelow.

Turning now to FIG. 4, the arch 16, if provided, can be pressed andcaused to yield somewhat to better ensure that the tool 10 maintains anintended position on the paper 20. The arch 16 can be provided togetherwith the non-skid feature 60, or as an alternative. As illustrated bythe arrows, the downward force can impart flexing to the plastic stick12. The plastic stick can have flexibility along the axis L such thatthe arch 16 has transforms from a first curvature when in a restcondition in which no force is applied (see FIG. 2) to a second, greatercurvature while a force is applied to the broad surface 14 to place thearch 16 in a flexed condition (FIG. 4). The arch 16 returns to the restcondition when the force ceases to be applied to the broad surface 14.

It should be appreciated that the arch 16, if provided, impartsmechanical strength to the tool to resist breakage at points along itslength.

With brief reference again to FIG. 2, the tool 10 can be included withwrapping paper as a kit. The kit can comprise wrapping paper 20 woundabout an axis and having a hollow central core 22. In some constructionsthe wrapping paper 20 is wound about itself and the rolled paper itselfdefines the hollow central core 22. In other constructions, the paper iswound about a cardboard tube which defines the hollow central core 22,as shown. The plastic stick 12 can be sized and shaped so as to bedisposable within the hollow central core. As noted, standard rolls ofwrapping paper have a width of between 18 and 48 inches, and hollowcentral core on the order of 1⅜ to 1⅝ inches. Thus, the kit can includea tool 10 having a length and width sized to fit within the hollowcentral core 22. The tool 10 can be retained within the hollow centralcore 22 using a clear plastic wrap 28, such as cellophane, which sealsthe ends of the rolled paper and retains the plastic stick 12 within thehollow central core 22 until the wrap 28 is removed.

Alternatively, a kit can include the tool 10 on the outside of a paperroll. When the tool 10 has an arch 16, the first curvature in therest-condition can be selected to complement that radius of curvature ofa wound roll of wrapping paper to permit the tool 10 to be packagedoutside the wound roll.

In use, the tool 10 can be retrieved from a kit of the type describedabove or otherwise obtained. A desired length of wrapping paper isdispensed on a surface such as a table top. For instance, a ten inchsquare object requires 40 inches of material to cover it, without anyoverlap of material, and if the user has a 42 inch wide roll of paper(sufficient to cover 4 sides of the object), then approximately 20inches of paper would be dispensed onto the table top (to havesufficient wrapping paper to cover the remaining two sides). The userpositions the tool 10 on top of the wrapping paper 20 with theserrations 34 aligned along the line of the desired paper cut. If thetool 10 includes the lip 70, the user positions the lip 70 beyond theedge 26 of the paper which is furthest from the user and draws the toolagainst the edge 26. The edge 26 engages the wall 72 of the lip 70 whichself-orients the tool 10 to a perpendicular orientation relative to theedge 26 of the wrapping paper. The user presses downward on the broadsurface 14, preferably within a foot of the end 50.

In some implementations, pressing down on the broad surface 14 causesthe arch 16 to flex, if an arch is included, and in any embodiment inwhich the arch 16 is provided, the arch 16 provides a mechanicaladvantage because the pressure on the wrapping paper 20 is increased dueto the area of contact of bracing surfaces 18 being less than the areaof the broad surface 14 being pressed by the user. This helps stabilizethe position of the tool 10 relative to the wrapping paper 20. Inembodiments in which the non-skid feature 60 is provided, the tool 10assumes a generally stable position on the wrapping paper even beforethe user presses upon the broad surface 14, but it is important to pressdown on the broad surface 14 to secure the tool 10 in one position.

Cutting proceeds by movement of the paper relative to the tool in anupward direction starting at the end 50, which is the end furthest fromthe user, and lifting the paper toward the user and the serrations 34.For wide rolls of wrapping paper, a uniform cut is better ensured bypausing the cutting and changing the location where the user pressesdownward on the broad surface 14 to be closer to the midpoint. Thelifting and cutting of the wrapping paper 20 against the serrations 34can continue until the entire workpiece is cut from the roll.

Once separated, the tool 10 can be positioned in the same mannerdescribed above onto the workpiece in order to provide a fold line toconceal the cut edge. The tool is positioned this time with thenon-serrated second side 40 proximate to the cut edge, in the range of a½ inch to two inches from the cut edge. The paper can be folded upwardagainst the second side 40, the tool then moved away, and the foldcompleted to conceal the cut edge. Because of the length of the tool 10,the fold can be established in one step using the second side 40 as aguide.

As noted, the tool 10 can be made in a variety of ways, but if made by a3D printer, in accordance with another aspect of the invention, aninstruction file 170 can comprise a computer-aided design/computer-aidedmanufacture (“CAD”/“CAM”) file or files, such as can be defined, atleast in part, using a 3D scanner. 3D scanners are known in the art andare configured to collect visual data and produce, point clouds ofgeometric samples of the surface of the subject, Non-Uniform RationalBasis Spline (NURB) models to represent curves and surfaces, voxels (3-Dpicture elements), or 2-dimensional slices, any of which can result inan instruction file 170 that can be used by a 3D printer to form athree-dimensional shape from loose material (e.g., by sintering, fusing,etc.). In particular, the data collected by a 3D scanner is used in areconstruction process to extrapolate the shape of the tool 10. Thescanned data can be provided to a CAD designer to edit and establish thecontent of the instruction file 170, in some circumstances. An exampleof a 3D scanner available on the market is the Matter and Form 3DScanner, available from Matter and Form, Inc. of Toronto, Canada.

The instruction file 170 can be supplied to a user from a hardwareserver 172 that is accessible through a network 74, such as theInternet. For instance, a website 76 can make one or more instructionfiles 170 available for download by users at various locations aroundthe world. A user can select a particular instruction file and downloadit into a client machine 80, which is a hardware device connected to thenetwork through a network interface 82 for transfer to a 3D printer 90,or it can be downloaded directly to the 3D printer, which also is ahardware device. Exemplary 3D printers include models available fromShapeways, Inc. of New York, N.Y. and Makerbot Industries, LLC ofBrooklyn, N.Y. Such 3D printers can be directly connected to a clientmachine 80, connected to the client machine through a local area network(not shown), or connected to the client machine through a broadernetwork such as network 74. The instruction file downloaded by the userhas a single purpose of providing instructions to a hardware processor84 used by the 3D printer to define actions to be taken at the 3Dprinter in order to manufacture the tool 12. The processor 84 typicallyis a hardware component of the 3D printer 90, but can be a component ofanother device, such as the client machine 80. The actions to be takeninclude sintering or fusing of material at some locations and notothers, all in accordance with the instruction file 170.

The invention has been described with regard to certain embodimentsthereof to aid in an understanding thereof, but the invention itself ismore broadly defined by the recitations in the claims appended hereto,and equivalents of such recitations, and the claims are to be read withthat in mind.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tool for use with wrapping paper, comprising: aunitary, plastic stick having a length which extends linearly along anaxis of elongation, a broad surface, a bracing surface, and first andsecond sides along the length which meet the bracing surface atrespective first and second side edges, the length being at least 18inches, wherein the first side extends parallel to the axis ofelongation and comprises serrations defined in the plastic stickadjacent the bracing surface such that the serrations are included inone or more planes parallel to the bracing surface, and parallel to anywrapping paper when the bracing surface of the plastic stick is disposedon top of the wrapping paper, wherein the second side extends parallelto the axis of elongation and opposite to the first side and comprises anon-serrated edge defined in the plastic stick proximate to the bracingsurface, wherein the first and second sides are separated by a width ina direction perpendicular to the axis of elongation which issubstantially less than the length, wherein the broad surface has anarch extending in the direction of elongation between the first andsecond sides, and wherein an area of contact of the bracing surface isless than the area of the broad surface; and a lip depending downwardfrom at least one end of the bracing surface of the plastic stick, thelip being oriented perpendicular to the axis of elongation and defininga wall which is perpendicular to the axis of elongation, wherein thewall defines a seat for an edge of the wrapping paper.
 2. The tool ofclaim 1, further comprising a non-skid coating or layer on the bracingsurface which has a coefficient of static friction greater than that ofthe plastic comprising the plastic stick.
 3. The tool of claim 1,wherein the serrations of the first side extend to at least one end ofthe length of the plastic stick.
 4. The tool of claim 1, wherein thenon-serrated edge of the second side is either tapered or rounded. 5.The tool of claim 1, wherein the plastic stick is either transparent ortranslucent.
 6. The tool of claim 1, wherein the length of the unitarystick is between about 24 and about 36 inches long.
 7. The tool of claim1, wherein the length of the unitary stick is less than 50 inches long.8. The tool of claim 1, wherein the plastic stick has a flexibility,wherein the arch has a first curvature in a rest condition and a second,greater curvature in a flexed condition, wherein the arch moves betweenthe rest condition and the flexed condition in response to a manualforce being applied to the broad surface.
 9. The tool of claim 1,wherein the tool is configured as a wrapping paper kit which furthercomprises: wrapping paper wound about an axis and having a hollowcentral core, wherein the unitary, plastic stick is disposed within thehollow central core; and a clear plastic wrap enclosing the wrappingpaper and the plastic stick within the hollow central core.
 10. The toolof claim 9, further comprising a non-skid coating or layer on thebracing surface which has a coefficient of static friction greater thanthat of the plastic comprising the plastic stick.
 11. The tool of claim10, further comprising: a lip depending downward from at least one endof the bracing surface of the plastic stick, the lip being orientedperpendicular to the axis of elongation and defining a wall which isperpendicular to the axis of elongation, wherein the wall defines a seatfor an edge of the wrapping paper.
 12. The tool of claim 9, furthercomprising: a lip depending downward from at least one end of thebracing surface of the plastic stick, the lip being orientedperpendicular to the axis of elongation and defining a wall which isperpendicular to the axis of elongation, wherein the wall defines a seatfor an edge of the wrapping paper.
 13. The tool of claim 9, wherein theplastic stick is transparent or translucent.
 14. The tool of claim 9,wherein the width of the unitary stick is selected from the group of: a.being less than 1.375 inches; b. being less than 1.5 inches; and c.being less than 1.625 inches.
 15. The tool of claim 9, wherein theplastic stick has a flexibility, wherein the arch has a first curvaturein a rest condition and a second, greater curvature in a flexedcondition, and wherein the arch moves between the rest condition and theflexed condition in response to a manual force being applied to thebroad surface.
 16. The tool of claim 9, wherein the plastic stick has aflexibility, wherein the arch has a first curvature in a rest conditionand a second, greater curvature in a flexed condition, wherein the archmoves between the rest condition and the flexed condition in response toa manual force being applied to the broad surface.
 17. A tool for usewith wrapping paper, comprising: a unitary, plastic stick having alength which extends linearly along an axis of elongation, a broadsurface, a bracing surface, and first and second sides along the lengthwhich meet the bracing surface at respective first and second sideedges, the length being at least 18 inches, wherein the first sideextends parallel to the axis of elongation and comprises serrationsdefined in the plastic stick adjacent the bracing surface such that theserrations are included in one or more planes parallel to the bracingsurface, and parallel to any wrapping paper when the bracing surface ofthe plastic stick is disposed on top of the wrapping paper, wherein thesecond side extends parallel to the axis of elongation and opposite tothe first side and comprises a non-serrated edge defined in the plasticstick proximate to the bracing surface, and wherein the first and secondsides are separated by a width in a direction perpendicular to the axisof elongation which is substantially less than the length; and a lipdepending downward from at least one end of the bracing surface of theplastic stick, the lip being oriented perpendicular to the axis ofelongation and defining a wall which is perpendicular to the axis ofelongation, wherein the wall defines a seat for an edge of the wrappingpaper while the bracing surface of the plastic stick is disposed on topof the wrapping paper.
 18. The tool of claim 17, further comprising anon-skid coating or layer on the bracing surface which has a coefficientof static friction greater than that of the plastic comprising theplastic stick.
 19. The tool of claim 17, wherein the serrations of thefirst side extend to at least one end of the length of the plasticstick, and wherein the non-serrated edge of the second side is eithertapered or rounded.
 20. The tool of claim 17, wherein the plastic stickis either transparent or translucent.